Oakton College

PTA Program Data

Below is complete information including curriculum, learning format, tuition and fees, student outcomes, accreditation, student reviews, and application deadlines for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Oakton College. Page updated: July 1st, 2025

Oakton College PTA Program Overview

Oakton College’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, based at the Des Plaines campus just north of Chicago, offers a comprehensive pathway to becoming a licensed PTA in Illinois. Students earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree after completing 70.5 credit hours that blend general education with hands-on PTA courses. The curriculum covers therapeutic interventions—such as heat/cold applications, electrotherapy, and therapeutic exercise—with both classroom and lab instruction. A highlight is Oakton’s strong clinical component: students complete four off-campus rotations at local healthcare facilities, gaining real-world experience across diverse settings.
Admission is competitive and requires prerequisites like biology and physics within five years, minimum GPA standards, observation hours with PT professionals, recommendation letters, plus background checks and health clearances for clinical work. While tuition is among the lowest in Chicagoland—and most Oakton graduates finish debt-free—students should budget for lab fees, uniforms, insurance, transportation to clinics around Cook County or nearby suburbs.

Graduates are eligible for the National Physical Therapy Exam; recent classes boast a 100% ultimate pass rate and employment rate post-licensure. Unique transfer agreements allow seamless progression from Oakton’s A.A.S. into bachelor’s programs at partner universities such as National Louis University—a valuable option if you’re looking to advance further in healthcare leadership.

With small class sizes and robust student support services—including scholarships totaling $12 million annually—Oakton stands out as an affordable launchpad for your allied health career near Chicago’s vibrant medical community.

Video from Oakton College

PTA Program Contact and Outcomes

Below is complete contact information for the PTA program director at Oakton College as well as links to complete data on student outcomes and more information on the Physical Therapist Assistant program.

Online PTA Schools

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